The Odyssey, Book 6

The Odyssey, Book 6

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The Odyssey, Book 6
By Homer (C8 BCE?)

Nausicaa, daughter of Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians, is asleep when Athena comes to her to
suggest that she go down to the river the next morning, with her attendants. So the next morning
Nausicaa persuades her parents to lend her a wagon to take clothes down to the river for washing.

The party goes down to the washing pool. Nausicaa is about to fold and put away the clothing
when the ship-wrecked Odysseus, who is asleep nearby, wakes up. He wonders where he is.

Grabbing an olive branch to hide his modesty, he walks out, caked in salt from the sea and looking
terrible. The attendants run away at sight of him, but Nausicaa stands her ground. Odysseus thinks
that she might be a goddess, perhaps Artemis. He then tells her that he has been at sea for 20
days, harassed by the god Poseidon, and only came on shore the previous day. He asks Nausicaa
for some clothes and if she can tell him how he can get to town.

Nausicaa says fate is in Zeus’ hands, but that since Odysseus has reached her country, and she is
the daughter of the king, she won't let him go without clothes. She tells her attendants not to be
afraid, and to wash the stranger in the river. They give him clothes and an oil flask. He asks them to
go away so he can bathe.

Odysseus, washed and dressed, looks like a god. Nausicaa says she would like someone like him to
be her husband. She tells her attendants to give him food and drink.

Read in Ancient Greek by Zoe Dickinson, hefyd, & MorganScorpion. Total running time: 00:33:52.
Book Coordinator: hefyd. Meta-Coordinator/Cataloging: Philippa

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Cover image by Charles Grignion (1774). Copyright expired in US, Canada, EU, and all countries with author's life
+70 yrs laws. Cover design by Janette Brown. This design is in the public domain.

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